FUTURA Prague Emerges as Major Independent Art Center in Czech Republic

FUTURA (Centre for Contemporary Art+Events) launched in Prague in June 2003 as a non-profit institution addressing the city's cultural crisis. Founded by Marisa Ravalli-Prihodova, Alberto di Stefano, Camille Hunt, and Eugenio Percossi, it occupies a converted three-floor factory in Prague 5 with over 800 square meters of exhibition space. The center opened with SURVEY 03', a group exhibition curated by FUTURA and Karel Cisar featuring over twenty Czech artists including David Cerny, whose controversial commission depicted President Vaclav Klaus and National Gallery head Milan Knizak. Subsequent programming included Swedish artist Annika Larsson's first Czech solo show of award-winning videos like "Dog" and "Poliisi" with soundtracks by Tobias Bernstrup, and Jiri David's "Sober-minded" painting series blending four decades of styles. FUTURA hosted the Jindrich Chalupecky Award finalists exhibition where former President Vaclav Havel presented the prize to Michal Pechoucek. Current exhibitions feature twelve Italian video artists curated by Paola Capata alongside solo shows by Federico Pietrella and Veronika Bromova. The center operates without entrance fees and plans a café, bookshop, and collaborations with The Castle Trebesice Artists-in-Residence Programme. FUTURA will present at The Armory Show in New York in March 2004.